Potential cousin naming dilemma - opinions appreciated

We are expecting girl #2 in July and are super thrilled. We have had her name picked out since we found out we were pregnant long before anyone even knew we were pregnant - Clara. Goes perfectly with DD (dear daughter) #1's name and we both love it. With DD#1 we were team green and no one knew our names or gender obviously. With this one we found out it's a girl but decided we would still keep the name a secret to hold out some kind of a surprise for people.

Well, long story short shortly after we announced our pregnancy, we found out DH's sister is due 3 days after me with her first. We were thrilled, then I suddenly realized we might have a naming conflict. I rationalized with myself and said likelihood of baby even being a girl was only 50% anyway and not to worry too much. Plus there's tons of names out there right?

Good news - their baby is a boy! I relaxed my guard totally. We had been calling DD#2 our chosen name since we decided on it, but really ramped it up once we found out their baby was a boy.

Well, turns out we still have a potential issue. They announced their name recently for a boy - Carl. Our chosen and still secret name is Clara.

Will having cousins that see each other likely minimum every month or two with a name that similar be okay!??!?

I'm so torn... I can't imagine calling her any other name but I am dreading my inlaws reaction to our eventual name announcement at birth, especially my SIL (sister-in-law) and MIL. DH says he'll handle things and we need to keep the name. He says they sound different enough and it won't be an issue. People on here say they changed their minds and then regretted not using their chosen name in similar situations.

Please tell me...are the names too similar for cousins? I can't stop stressing out over this and yet can't imagine using any other name. Heeeeelp!

Comments (25)

I agree with your DH. Carl and Clara are different enough. Do you, in general, get along with MIL (mother-in-law) and SIL? If so, they shouldn't be upset at all. And if they are, and you are not close with them, tell them to go fly a kite. In a lightning storm.

I think they are totally different names. You don't need to fret. They may look similar, but they sound very different. I would still use it. I love Clara! Are you using the kl-air-ah pronunciation or the the kl-are-ah version? If you use the air variation I really don't see how there could be a problem.

I think they are totally different names. You don't need to fret. They ma...

Posted
05/01/2015

I think they are totally different names. You don't need to fret. They may look similar, but they sound very different. I would still use it. I love Clara! Are you using the kl-air-ah pronunciation or the the kl-are-ah version? If you use the air variation I really don't see how there could be a problem.

We are planning to use the kl-air-ah pronunciation.

Oh this is taking such a weight off my shoulders. I know in writing they are just one letter different so that is what has been getting to me most of all and the hope it won't be a tongue twister.

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